President Obama speaks at the annual Veterans Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery on Nov. 11. / Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP

by Aamer Madhani, USA TODAY

by Aamer Madhani, USA TODAY

White House press secretary Jay Carney said Tuesday that President Obama continues to have "faith" in the embattled Gen. John Allen.

Allen has become ensnared in the investigation that abruptly ended the career of CIA Director David Petraeus. The Pentagon announced that Allen allegedly exchanged inappropriate e-mails with Jill Kelley, a friend of Petraeus whose complaints about receiving harassing e-mails subsequently tipped off authorities to Petraeus' extra-marital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell.

Allen is currently the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan and is Obama's nominee to be the top U.S. military commander in Europe. Allen has denied any wrongdoing. Allen was due to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday for a nomination hearing, but the nomination is now on hold.

"He has faith in Gen. Allen," said Carney, adding that the president "thinks very highly of Gen. Allen."

Carney sidestepped questions from reporters on whether the president was satisfied with the FBI's handling of the investigation. The agency began its investigation of Petraeus over the summer, but the White House was not alerted of the investigation until last week. The president first became aware on Friday that there might be an issue with Allen's nomination.

"Look, all I can tell you is when the White House was informed," said Carney, regarding the timing of the White House being notified by the FBI. "And I would let the relevant members of Congress explain to you how and when they were informed. My understanding is there are protocols that the FBI follows with regards to these kinds of notifications."